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What's the best way to stop drinking?

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24

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    #32
    tdf7187
    Registered Users Posts: 1,597 ✭✭✭tdf7187


    FFVII wrote: »
    Bit of fecking will power is all anyone needs.

    Rubbish and dangerous rubbish at that. Withdrawal from alcohol can literally cause death in very heavy drinkers. Withdrawal from heroin, for example, can't do that.

    These are the medical facts. Sorry if they don't fit your incorrect ideas.


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    #33
    Stacksofwacks
    Registered Users Posts: 1,544 ✭✭✭Stacksofwacks


    CFlat wrote: »
    Jazsus lads he said he was on the beer for 10 days not 10 years. Librium? AA? GP?

    Look, assuming you're just pissed off with something and you went on a bender to forget about it which is what this sounds like to me, tomorrow morning just stay in bed all day. You need to eat but just go back to bed after you've done that. Eat well though. Stay warm in bed, electric blanket, hot water bottle whatever makes you comfortable. The following day you'll feel better and so on. I think you just need to snap out of whatever this thing is you're going through

    Someone who dosent have a problem with drink dosent go on a 10 day bender and then start asking strangers how to stop. I went on a 7 day binge one time, but that was on holidays so I had some sort of excuse but I wouldn't do that to myself again, I don't think I could anyway.

    To the OP, the best way to stop drinking is to quite simply, stop drinking. You you could do yourself some serious damage if you don't. If you cant do that then try weaning yourself off, if your drinking 10 pints a day, then go down to 9 the next day, 8,7,6, 5 etc. Have you done these kind of benders before?


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    #34
    Plopsu
    Registered Users Posts: 671 ✭✭✭Plopsu


    If drinking has become more important to you than seeing your kids or keeping your job, then you have a drink problem. Until you accept that, the situation won't improve.


    Edit: if this is indeed real, it might be better in Personal Issues.


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    #35
    ArchXStanton
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,912 ✭✭✭ArchXStanton


    Doctors room ghost wrote: »
    Remarkably well typed for someone on a ten day session who should be rattling and shaking like a dog taking a sh1te.

    1/10 for effort but on the off chance that any of that could be real,go to your gp and ask to be medically detoxed on Librium to reduce the chance of suffering a seizure.

    This.

    My GP has pulled me back from the brink many times, god bless her, in the end you'll just have to except you'll never win in the battle with the bottle


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    #36
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    ArchXStanton wrote: »
    My GP has pulled me back from the brink many times, god bless her, in the end you'll just have to except you'll never win in the battle with the bottle

    I suppose that entirely depends on your end game and how you picture "winning" in your head. Whether or not you will win against the bottle depends entirely on what "winning" even means to you in the first place. One has to decide what winning looks like.

    For example - I have known some deep alcoholics who have now been off the bottle for 20 even 30 years. That would be victory in my book. But that is just my book not theirs.

    They - wisely enough - still identify as alcoholics. They look at it as a long series of victories in a war that will never really end until they die. And only then can victory or defeat be declared.

    But they will not declare victory now because they fear one of alcohols most insidious and dangerous weapons in that war. Complacency.


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    #37
    Feisar
    Registered Users Posts: 6,614 ✭✭✭Feisar


    tdf7187 wrote: »
    Rubbish and dangerous rubbish at that. Withdrawal from alcohol can literally cause death in very heavy drinkers. Withdrawal from heroin, for example, can't do that.

    These are the medical facts. Sorry if they don't fit your incorrect ideas.

    It's a ten day bender, loads of people go on hols for ten days getting hammered everyday, come back and go cold turkey.

    First they came for the socialists...



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    #38
    ArchXStanton
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,912 ✭✭✭ArchXStanton


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    I suppose that entirely depends on your end game and how you picture "winning" in your head. Whether or not you will win against the bottle depends entirely on what "winning" even means to you in the first place. One has to decide what winning looks like.

    For example - I have known some deep alcoholics who have now been off the bottle for 20 even 30 years. That would be victory in my book. But that is just my book not theirs.

    They - wisely enough - still identify as alcoholics. They look at it as a long series of victories in a war that will never really end until they die. And only then can victory or defeat be declared.

    But they will not declare victory now because they fear one of alcohols most insidious and dangerous weapons in that war. Complacency.

    No doubt you have to be vigilant and step away from hitting the fcuk it button but I found over time the craving for a drink diminishes, victory for me was excepting defeat, I was never going going to be able to drink like a normal person again,some alcoholics can't accept that, they get a few weeks/months/ off it then convince themselves that they'll be able to drink again moderately,romanticising back on their drinking days, I think thats why a lot attend AA because they see some newcomer fresh off the bender, life in chaos come through the door and they're reminded of the horrors of it all


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    #39
    Stacksofwacks
    Registered Users Posts: 1,544 ✭✭✭Stacksofwacks


    Feisar wrote: »
    It's a ten day bender, loads of people go on hols for ten days getting hammered everyday, come back and go cold turkey.

    Loads of people who are either very young or else stone cold alcos..


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    #40
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    ArchXStanton wrote: »
    victory for me was excepting defeat, I was never going going to be able to drink like a normal person again

    I think that is what I meant by "what victory looks like to you". You are framing that concession as defeat. And I can understand why. It is not "wrong". But other people would not frame it that way and it is not "wrong" either. For them.

    Rather they frame it as "I am going to change my life - alcohol is not going to be a part of it any more - and achieving that is victory". So they are essentially doing exactly what you did. But what you call defeat - they call victory. And it works for both of you. So that is good.

    Either way the first step seems the same for all of you. Identify for yourself what "victory" is for you - what it looks like and what it means to you - and strive to realise that vision.

    As for alcoholics who strive for controlled drinking - moderate drinking - some do achieve it. Others - as you rightly point out - fail dramatically. It is not something unattainable by any means. But it is far from a given either and I reckon many are deluded when they think it is the right option for them. But we can not know either way for any given individual until they try.

    There is something eye opening however about hearing someone in a place like AA stand up and say "Hi I am Mike - I am an alcoholic - I have not had a drink for 40 years". First reaction is "Whhhhhhaaaaa???". But then you realise what they are saying at it is quite moving.


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    #41
    Feisar
    Registered Users Posts: 6,614 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Stacksofwacks wrote: »
    Loads of people who are either very young or else stone cold alcos..

    Either or, cold turkey of a ten day bender isn't going to kill you.

    First they came for the socialists...



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    #42
    Feisar
    Registered Users Posts: 6,614 ✭✭✭Feisar


    First they came for the socialists...



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    #43
    tdf7187
    Registered Users Posts: 1,597 ✭✭✭tdf7187


    Deleted User wrote: »
    I think that is what I meant by "what victory looks like to you". You are framing that concession as defeat. And I can understand why. It is not "wrong". But other people would not frame it that way and it is not "wrong" either. For them.

    Rather they frame it as "I am going to change my life - alcohol is not going to be a part of it any more - and achieving that is victory". So they are essentially doing exactly what you did. But what you call defeat - they call victory. And it works for both of you. So that is good.

    Either way the first step seems the same for all of you. Identify for yourself what "victory" is for you - what it looks like and what it means to you - and strive to realise that vision.

    As for alcoholics who strive for controlled drinking - moderate drinking - some do achieve it. Others - as you rightly point out - fail dramatically. It is not something unattainable by any means. But it is far from a given either and I reckon many are deluded when they think it is the right option for them. But we can not know either way for any given individual until they try.

    There is something eye opening however about hearing someone in a place like AA stand up and say "Hi I am Mike - I am an alcoholic - I have not had a drink for 40 years". First reaction is "Whhhhhhaaaaa???". But then you realise what they are saying at it is quite moving.

    One of their own slogans is 'we seek progress not perfection'. They assume everyone who stops going to meetings has relapsed but this is not the case. Some stop going due to off-putting experiences in AA. Some don't need it any more. Some of those 40 year sober types are angry dry drunks who have long since lost sight of what I consider a good recovery, if indeed they ever had it. Or perhaps telling porkies and are in fact drinking. It is virtually impossible to test the success rate off AA simply because its nature is anonymous. It wouldn't work if it wasn't anonymous.


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    #44
    ArchXStanton
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,912 ✭✭✭ArchXStanton


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    I think that is what I meant by "what victory looks like to you". You are framing that concession as defeat. And I can understand why. It is not "wrong". But other people would not frame it that way and it is not "wrong" either. For them.

    Rather they frame it as "I am going to change my life - alcohol is not going to be a part of it any more - and achieving that is victory". So they are essentially doing exactly what you did. But what you call defeat - they call victory. And it works for both of you. So that is good.

    Either way the first step seems the same for all of you. Identify for yourself what "victory" is for you - what it looks like and what it means to you - and strive to realise that vision.

    As for alcoholics who strive for controlled drinking - moderate drinking - some do achieve it. Others - as you rightly point out - fail dramatically. It is not something unattainable by any means. But it is far from a given either and I reckon many are deluded when they think it is the right option for them. But we can not know either way for any given individual until they try.

    There is something eye opening however about hearing someone in a place like AA stand up and say "Hi I am Mike - I am an alcoholic - I have not had a drink for 40 years". First reaction is "Whhhhhhaaaaa???". But then you realise what they are saying at it is quite moving.

    Some can return to moderate drinking and I've often wondered how they do it, for me if I started back into it even after a few years sobriety, I know from past experience I'd get away with it 2-3 times.. Then the brakes would come off completely, there's only one way that I've been able to drink moderately and that's taking Naltrexone an hour before I drink, but it's missing that "ah" euphoric factor the alcoholic mind is looking for and zero compulsion or craving to drink again the next day, I've tinkered with it a few years ago, but after a few go's at it I'd decided that I really hated alcohol and the way it made me feel during and the morning after.


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    #45
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    tdf7187 wrote: »
    It wouldn't work if it wasn't anonymous.

    That is not at all an assumption I would feel safe making without a lot of testing and data. And comparisons to other methods that are not based on it.

    Quite the opposite actually as the inability to get testing and data means we can not test the efficacy of their methods. And even if we magically just assume their methods to be useful - we can not test whether they are being applied consistently or at all in any given chapter presuming to bear the brand.
    ArchXStanton wrote: »
    Some can return to moderate drinking and I've often wondered how they do it

    I can understand that. Discipline is often a wonder in those who have more of it than we do. I am massively disciplined in my life - to the wonder of some others - but there are people in turn who are a wonder to me and I do not know how they do it either.

    It sounds like you have found what is right for you though. And that's half the victory in my mind - even if you view it as defeat in your own. But words for it don't matter - once it works!


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    #46
    parttime
    Registered Users Posts: 284 ✭✭parttime


    LSD or Psylocibin can help break addictions.....


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    #47
    Stacksofwacks
    Registered Users Posts: 1,544 ✭✭✭Stacksofwacks


    Feisar wrote: »
    Either or, cold turkey of a ten day bender isn't going to kill you.

    It probably wouldn't, but there is going on holidays and having a few drinks every night and theres going on a bender where you do nothing but drink. The latter aint very good and do it often enough and you will do yourself some serious damage.


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    #48
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    CFlat wrote: »
    Jazsus lads he said he was on the beer for 10 days not 10 years. Librium? AA? GP?

    Look, assuming you're just pissed off with something and you went on a bender to forget about it which is what this sounds like to me, tomorrow morning just stay in bed all day. You need to eat but just go back to bed after you've done that. Eat well though. Stay warm in bed, electric blanket, hot water bottle whatever makes you comfortable. The following day you'll feel better and so on. I think you just need to snap out of whatever this thing is you're going through

    Drinking 10 days in a row should not be minimised and is definitely something to be worried about


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    #49
    farmchoice
    Registered Users Posts: 1,026 ✭✭✭farmchoice


    I've been on a 10 day bender. Keep drinking more and more each day to stop the hangover from setting in. Haven't seen my child in that long too. Not sure I'll have a place of work to go back to.


    you have to stop for your kid,you have to stop today, its going to be bad for a day or two but you will be alright by the weekend, then go and see them.
    dont be that father, stand up now and be a man, not tomorrow not after Christmas now, no more.

    if you cant do it on your own and there is no shame in it go to your GP.


    that kid will only ever have one father, dont be a drunk, get yourself together.


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    #50
    tdf7187
    Registered Users Posts: 1,597 ✭✭✭tdf7187


    Deleted User wrote: »
    That is not at all an assumption I would feel safe making without a lot of testing and data. And comparisons to other methods that are not based on it.

    Quite the opposite actually as the inability to get testing and data means we can not test the efficacy of their methods. And even if we magically just assume their methods to be useful - we can not test whether they are being applied consistently or at all in any given chapter presuming to bear the brand.

    We don't disagree. I was just saying that anonymity is foundation of our traditions is the reason AA works - for those for whom it works. I make no claims regarding its success rate.


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    #51
    tdf7187
    Registered Users Posts: 1,597 ✭✭✭tdf7187


    Feisar wrote: »

    I've listened to him 'do a chair'. I'm not breaching anonymity, he has spoken about his alcoholism in numerous public interviews.


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    #52
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    More info needed, have you missed work? Are you meant to be in work? What's your living situation?

    I quit drinking last year. 100 cans in a week was a quiet one, might skip drinking one evening a week. Work didn't suffer, was just time to stop. And yeah it's hard but everyone's circumstances are different. Everyone I know is still mad for the drink which makes it hard. And there are plenty of evenings I just want to pick up a slab and watch TV alone. :P Is your drinking alone or out? Pick something you have to do sober. That way you'll either quit drinking to do it or see that you have a problem.


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    #53
    Still waters
    Registered Users Posts: 1,166 ✭✭✭Still waters


    tdf7187 wrote: »
    I've listened to him 'do a chair'. I'm not breaching anonymity, he has spoken about his alcoholism in numerous public interviews.

    He's the worst type of alcoholic, just because he gave it up means everyone else should as well, he wrote and performed better when he was boozin, now he's just a miserable old prick who thinks he's better than everyone who does drink, I've been to one of his shows in vicar street and another in lisdoonvarna and he wants the bar shut down and no one can sing along, he's forgotten what a good time is, he should retire if people enjoying themselves that much bother him


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    #54
    Ace Attorney
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭Ace Attorney


    Op first thing first have a shower and shave you will feel better. 2. Switch on a tv show you like, play video games or netflix for the day. 3. Get a lot of junk food i.e pizza crisps etc and some water or softdrinks for the day and just take it easy for theday batten down the hatches and turn off your phone untill tomorow. Just chill out for the day and relax till tomorrow morning . Hit the sauna then and do some light exercise. You be right as rain then


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    #55
    Feisar
    Registered Users Posts: 6,614 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Ace Attorney wrote: »
    Op first thing first have a shower and shave you will feel better. 2. Switch on a tv show you like, play video games or netflix for the day. 3. Get a lot of junk food i.e pizza crisps etc and some water or softdrinks for the day and just take it easy for theday batten down the hatches and turn off your phone untill tomorow. Just chill out for the day and relax.

    While I have been saying cold turkey won't kill him, an eight pack would smooth things out a bit.

    First they came for the socialists...



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    #56
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    tdf7187 wrote: »
    We don't disagree. I was just saying that anonymity is foundation of our traditions is the reason AA works - for those for whom it works. I make no claims regarding its success rate.

    Again I think I would just stay sceptical until I had more data. My suspicion is that AA works - for the few people it actually works for - not because of anything to do with anonymity but solely because it is a mutual social support group of understanding peers.

    And I suspect that trait - more than any other - is the grounding for the success they might have. And the even better success other groups have.

    To the point I suspect AA has it's rare successes not because of it's processes and ideas but _despite_ them. And the power of it being a social support network dilutes the bad effects of some of their more nonsense and dangerous practices.


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    #57
    tdf7187
    Registered Users Posts: 1,597 ✭✭✭tdf7187


    Still waters wrote: »
    He's the worst type of alcoholic, just because he gave it up means everyone else should as well, he wrote and performed better when he was boozin, now he's just a miserable old prick who thinks he's better than everyone who does drink, I've been to one of his shows in vicar street and another in lisdoonvarna and he wants the bar shut down and no one can sing along, he's forgotten what a good time is, he should retire if people enjoying themselves that much bother him

    I was at one of his shows circa 2008 at the Pod, yes I do remember a few people bitching that they couldn't drink in the actual arena but there was a bar open somewhere in the premises.

    You know what, big deal, his show, his rules. People who insist on singing along - usually drunkenly - at gigs I find to be annoying, frankly.

    You'd rather he was six feet under I guess.


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    #58
    tdf7187
    Registered Users Posts: 1,597 ✭✭✭tdf7187


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Again I think I would just stay sceptical until I had more data. My suspicion is that AA works - for the few people it actually works for - not because of anything to do with anonymity but solely because it is a mutual social support group of understanding peers.

    And I suspect that trait - more than any other - is the grounding for the success they might have. And the even better success other groups have.

    To the point I suspect AA has it's rare successes not because of it's processes and ideas but _despite_ them. And the power of it being a social support network dilutes the bad effects of some of their more nonsense and dangerous practices.

    You've actually described my own views of AA better than I could myself.

    I would like to know about the other groups you refer to please. Life Rings I tried and it wasn't much to my taste. Smart Recovery, there isn't a meeting near me. Any other groups you are aware of?


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    #59
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Ok, seriously..

    Yeah, AA can be hit and miss..NA might be more of a fit, depending on your age..they do work though.. and even if not now, getting to a few kind of instills it in your mind..

    Drink is so all around us now that getting away from it can just seem impossible.. the idea of not going to the pub just seems alien.. even if you do get through the day, your subconscious mind/habit just kicks in and you have a bag of cans before you realize it.. you can always stop tomorrow etc..

    Thing is op, you can't stop tomorrow.. you can only ever stop today.. it's doable..look for an AA or NA meeting..go and just listen if you want..

    Best of luck.. could be the best decision you ever make..


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    #60
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Sounds like a normal christmas just a few weeks early.


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    #61
    nthclare
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,316 ✭✭✭nthclare


    A bridge to normal living without the hooch or drugs ain't easy.

    There's a non secular recovery program called life ring, nothing to do with with sky fairy's or god etc

    Im off drink and drugs 17 years I had a choice of going along the big book AA thumping and thinking im special and one of the chosen ones, or a bridge to normal living without drink or drugs.

    Picking up the pieces and changing my ways wasn't easy, but now I am at my 17th Christmas sober and clean.

    Outside help was good too, just to rewire the brain and get away from the addictive cycle and away from the cult of the 12 step program.

    I can go to pubs, dances and gigs and enjoy myself without a crutch.
    No interest in drinking or drugging, gave it all up at 27 the same age as a lot of tragedies occur in addictive cycles.

    Im not knocking AA but there's more to life than being a dry bitter drunk wasting away in a program full of contradictions and dogma.

    Choose life as Renton in Trainspotting said....


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